All purpose UTV for farm use?

[Redneck in training]

One factor that is often overlooked is the rear axle. Consider the implications of owning a machine that can weigh 2500 lbs loaded, with a solid rear axle. Since you are an ATV owner, you know the consequences of this (major turf and trail or driveway damage simply from turning a corner). Many UTVs have solid rear axles, even though they have independent rear suspension. There are a few that have open differentials which are lockable, and of course they are all four wheel drive so you can engage the front wheels too. The Gator 825i and 855 are two that have open and locakable rear differentials. I can drive my 825i around on the lawn all day with Big Horn tires and not do damage, even when cornering really sharp. Some other machines simply make a corner and leave a 1-2 inch deep trench from one or both rear wheels, because they have solid rear axles. Also, the differential equiped machines survive the use of tracks much better than solid rear axle machines, because of greatly reduced stress on the drivetrain.
Your choice, but now you are informed.

What he means by solid axle is it has no differential. There is no single term describing powered axle without differential. Solid axle in automotive jargon means beam or live axle powered or not with differential or not.

 

[timswi]

One factor that is often overlooked is the rear axle. Consider the implications of owning a machine that can weigh 2500 lbs loaded, with a solid rear axle. Since you are an ATV owner, you know the consequences of this (major turf and trail or driveway damage simply from turning a corner). Many UTVs have solid rear axles, even though they have independent rear suspension. There are a few that have open differentials which are lockable, and of course they are all four wheel drive so you can engage the front wheels too. The Gator 825i and 855 are two that have open and locakable rear differentials. I can drive my 825i around on the lawn all day with Big Horn tires and not do damage, even when cornering really sharp. Some other machines simply make a corner and leave a 1-2 inch deep trench from one or both rear wheels, because they have solid rear axles. Also, the differential equiped machines survive the use of tracks much better than solid rear axle machines, because of greatly reduced stress on the drivetrain.
Your choice, but now you are informed.

Pretty sure the 900 is the same as my 1100..Open rear diff until you apply the diff lock...No yard damage except if you have to concern yourself with machine weight...RTV's are substantial in the weight department. A good thing mostly.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wouldn't think that many folks with RTV's would be running up and down their lawn daily, well possibly occasionally spreading mulch to flower beds and other such duties once a year of so. I don't but if I need to traverse the lawn, I do and unless it is extremely wet, one cant even see where I ran. The 12" wide tires distribute the weight very well and turning isn't an issue. RTV's don't have a really short turning radius for one thing and open differentials (front and rear) don't dig in when turning. The large turning radius might be considered a short coming compared to other UTVs but one gets used to it soon enough.

 

[Member]

Any thoughts on Honda Pioneer 700-4 it has my attention looking at it hard.

I have a Pioneer 700-2. I've only had it for a few weeks but so far so good.

I wanted reliability and a smooth ride in a smaller machine appropriate for my trails.

In my opinion it breaks down like this:
- Polaris: They check a lot of boxes like fastest, most horsepower, most available accessories. The boxes they don't check for me are technical superiority of the transmission and reliability.
- Kubota: Hardest working and most advanced transmission but slow and there's not a lot of suspension compliance.
- Yamaha: The new offering looks huge in size. I read, but have no direct experience, that the engine mount dampening/isolation is not good. It seems like they basically stopped development during the lawsuits and they're just starting back up
- Kawasaki: Didn't consider.

With the Honda it won't be the fastest or have the most horsepower but it will work every time I go to use it and that mattered much more to me than going 60 MPH or winning a drag race.

 

[timswi]

I have a Pioneer 700-2. I've only had it for a few weeks but so far so good.

I wanted reliability and a smooth ride in a smaller machine appropriate for my trails.

In my opinion it breaks down like this:
- Polaris: They check a lot of boxes like fastest, most horsepower, most available accessories. The boxes they don't check for me are technical superiority of the transmission and reliability.
- Kubota: Hardest working and most advanced transmission but slow and there's not a lot of suspension compliance.
- Yamaha: The new offering looks huge in size. I read, but have no direct experience, that the engine mount dampening/isolation is not good. It seems like they basically stopped development during the lawsuits and they're just starting back up
- Kawasaki: Didn't consider.

With the Honda it won't be the fastest or have the most horsepower but it will work every time I go to use it and that mattered much more to me than going 60 MPH or winning a drag race.

As far as the Kubota suspension compliance, that is somewhat true. I believe the front can be softened, the pre irs ones had leaf packs in the rear, so not much you can do there. After 4 years with my 1100, I haven't found the ride to be abusive--Soft, no, but quite tolerable. I don't know what the 2014 models ride like as I have not tried one yet...They may be improved with the irs.

 

[DT86]

I don't know what the 2014 models ride like as I have not tried one yet...They may be improved with the irs.

Oh man they are smoother riding and faster. I didn't believe it at first just driving the new one didn't seem faster, but my dealer and I had a drag race.

 

[timswi]

Oh man they are smoother riding and faster. I didn't believe it at first just driving the new one didn't seem faster, but my dealer and I had a drag race.

Thought the new ones still maxed out at 25mph..Or just quicker?...So they ride nice too?

 

[Ken45101]

As for ATVs and age, I'm 66 and don't have any problem getting on and off the ATV.

However, since we bought the RTV900 (6? years ago), the 4wheelers get very little use. Hauling hay bales? Yes, it can be done with a 4 wheeler but it's sooo much more convenient with the RTV. Firewood, everything.

The only place the 4 wheelers comes in handy is for checking out our trails. If a trail is blocked by a downed tree, the 4 wheeler is easier to turn around than the RTV. And sometimes it's more enjoyable if I'm solo trail riding. But other than that, the RTV900 wins hands down.

It has a rear differential so lawn damage is not an issue. And a differential lock if you need it. The powered dump bed is nice. We have the winch and snow plow on ours.

The hydrostatic transmission is great for automatically providing downhill braking. Let your foot off he accelerator and it pretty much comes to a stop.

 

[DT86]

Thought the new ones still maxed out at 25mph..Or just quicker?...So they ride nice too?

The 900 is quicker off the line but the the 1120 is quicker off the line and maintains speed better. I had the 1120 up to 28 coming off a hill.

I added pics on the "new RTV for 2014" thread.

 

[timswi]

The 900 is quicker off the line but the the 1120 is quicker off the line and maintains speed better. I had the 1120 up to 28 coming off a hill.

I added pics on the "new RTV for 2014" thread.

Thanks..I'll have to check one out...Did you notice if they have the new-gen emissions?..KTAC kinda said that they did.